Website Analyst Newsletter
Meeting Your Needs With Excellence
Issue 16
March 2001
Editor: Lucian Millis, editor@website-analyst.co.il
Publisher: Website Analyst http://www.website-analyst.co.il/
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. Editor's Note
2. 5 Most Common Web Design Mistakes - by Candice Pardue
3. Information Design - Web Usability - User Experience
4. List Management
5. Contact Information
1. Editor's Note
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2. 5 Most Common Web Design Mistakes - by Candice Pardue
As you're designing your new web site, you'll be tempted with
web design ideas that could turn into fatal mistakes. This is
especially true if your web site represents your business.
Below are five of the most common mistakes to avoid at all
costs...
1. Too Many Graphics
Having too many graphics (particularly large graphics), can
cause your site to load entirely too slow. Visitors will get
impatient and often times click out of your site -- never to
return.
SOLUTION: When possible save your graphics as GIF files
(gif.htm) rather than JPEG (jpg.htm). Also, reduce your
graphic in actual size as much as you can without distorting
the graphic or picture.
2. Counters
A visitor counter or hits counter should not be seen on your
site unless you have trememdous traffic. The reason for
this is visitors really don't want to know which visitor they
are, especially if they're visitor number four. There's no
benefit to your visitor, nor is there any benefit to you. The
only way showing a counter is advantageous is if you've
had millions of visitors and wish to display the popularity
of your site or would like to attract advertisers with the
large numbers. Otherwise, you can use this space for a
benefit-packed headline that leads your visitor to
another part of your site.
SOLUTION: Most web hosts offer web statistics that reveal
daily visitors, hits, referrers, etc. This feature will let
you know how many people are visiting your site without the
whole world seeing the information. If you're just starting
out, make sure your web host offers this free service.
3. Banners
Limit your banners to the bare necessities. Why? Because
banners are graphics that can slow loading time and are a
turn-off for many surfers on the internet. For most, "banner"
is just another word for "ad" and they avoid clicking on them.
SOLUTION: If you do have a banner or two, place the banner
at the very top or bottom of your page. Or you could place a
small banner in your sidebar. Most people will look at the
first picture they see and then start reading below the
picture, so any writing or links that are above the banner
may remain unnoticed. Also, the banners on your site should
be related to your product or service. Remember, everything
on your site should work together to benefit your target
customer.
4. Scattered Web Site
When designing your site, make sure it has a pattern that
leads your visitor. Get several people (friends or relatives)
to visit your site and watch them as they navigate. Notice the
places where they stop (as if they're finished) and also links
that they click on. Organizing your site to lead visitors is
very important whether you're leading them to buy something or
just to click and go to another place in your site. Customers
are silently begging to be led.
SOLUTION: Take a look at the flow of your site.
Design it in a fashion that always continues like this...
Make sure that graphics don't get in the way of your lead. If
the visitor stops in the middle of the home page to click on a
graphic or banner before getting to your sales page, they may
never return. You've got one chance to get the visitor's
attention and keep it. Make the most of it.
5. Generalization
The most effective way of selling on the internet is to
personalize your web site to reach your target audience. Many
web sites are general and try to reach everybody. The reality
is that you can't be everything to everybody. The business
owners who are successful on the web normally have very
specific products or services that target a niche market.
SOLUTION: Make your site as personal as possible. As you're
writing, pretend that you are face to face with the customer.
Present your web site in such a way that the visitor feels
like he just walked into a store in his hometown. Also, stay
focused on your target customer (one who would be interested
in "your" product.)
These five mistakes should be avoided at all costs if you want
to build an effective and successful web business.
Design your site to sell!
------------------ About the Author ------------------------
Article written by Candice Pardue, webmaster of Online Success
for Internet Business. Ever thought of designing your own web
site? Now you can learn how to design your own personal or
business web site from home with the Web Design Training Course
for beginners. Simple step-by-step design instructions. Go
here for details... http://www.webmastercourse.com/
3. Information Design - Web Usability - User Experience
The LucDesk is a place to find links to articles I consider
noteworthy on other sites. Send contributions and suggestions
to mailto:editor@website-analyst.co.il
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